What the front porch means to me

A place for memory making: My fondest memories of those I've lost over the years took place on the front porch.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

It’s where I spend most mornings and most evenings, where I set up shop with my zoom lens and a cup of coffee,
where I have my deepest conversations with friends and family. Warm
breezes, afternoon thunderstorms, crickets in the evening – there's
nothing like spending summertime out on the front porch.

A place to show affection: I can think of no better spot to pet your pup than his favorite spot, the front porch.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

Growing up, our front porch was like a second living room, where the
view was far more fascinating than the television. Seeing cars fly down
the dirt road, kicking up dust; spotting the birds flitting to and from
the feeders and bird bath; watching the dogs sunbathe at the edge of the
stairs. How many photos of how many different things could I take,
limiting myself to that bottom porch stair? I could play that game for
hours.

A place where wildlife thrives: The front porch has an ecosystem all of its own.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

A place for observation: The bird bath saw hosted many visitors in summertime.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

A birdwatcher's paradise: This eastern phoebe was a regular visitor to the bird feeder.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

It was where I developed my love for photography, where I realized
it could be a form of art. It was where I became an amateur birdwatcher
of sorts, sitting still and quiet and diligent with my guide. It was
where I grew up.

A place for making friends: Carolina chickadees are friendly as can be when there are seeds around.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

A place where patience pays off: The front porch is a comfortable spot to wait for the perfect photo opportunity.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

In my family, we could all sit and be silent without any awkwardness, or chat for
hours about everything under the sun. It was where we played music and
sang, and told our jokes – our best moments took place on that
front porch.

A place to explore the details: Equipped with a macro lens, the front porch offers the perfect setting for a closer examination of life's tiniest features.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

Everyone had their own seat. My miniature dachshund, Tuffy, claimed the
rocking chair — always in the sunlight and his happiest post; his mom,
Copper, on the edge of the stairs, always keeping watch. Dad strumming
his 12-string guitar, mom with a cup of coffee in tow, occasionally a
sibling home from college or surfacing from the basement’s video game
lair. More than the dinner table or the TV-room couch, the front porch
brought us all together.

An old dog's favorite spot: With a view of the yard and plenty of sunshine, Tuffy seldom chose another seat.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

A place in the sun: Copper looks out from her post on the sunny porch steps.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

Now, the growing up is all done (or at least, most of it). We’ve all
dissipated from our places on the front porch. “Home” is a vast array of
places and people and far-away feelings. Our beloved family meeting
space has become ancient history – and it took a while to pinpoint that
empty feeling.

A place for music: Guitar cases were just as much a regular sight on our front porch as chairs, swings, and coffee mugs.
(Photo: Anna Norris)

It was when I sat in the same rocking chair but in a different
setting, a new house, when my dad brought over his acoustic guitar and
we all sat outside until long past sunset – it was then that the feeling
finally started to fade, and the emptiness began to fill once more with
music and laughter and home. The front porch isn’t a place; it’s a
feeling.

A place for new adventures: It may not be Old Faithful, but any porch will do.
(Photo: Anna Norris)